Octavia

Found as abandoned egg by Brinkley, Hemi and Cameoleopardis during one of their numerous adventures, Octavia was brought up by tundras to become sentinel of their lair. Living just outside of caves they reside in, she lends her watchful eye to the clan. For long seen as withdrawn and silent, she finally ended her seclusion under pressure from other large dragons who joined the clan. As undoubtedly strongest dragon, she's unofficial senior of their armed force.
Tasked to protect Coil and Onyxscale on their missions. Foster mother of Ruse.
Overseen by Sing, who is worried by corrupting influence of Molnum over Guardian female.
This changed completely after Longinus' appearance. Octavia got finally freed from tundra's schemes.

***

- Why were you wounded?
- I... I wasn't fast enough.
- Is that it?
Large female squinted at much smaller tundra male. Task not even a bit easier due to heavy helmet on her muzzle. She dropped on her front paws, keeping neck in uncomfortable position, afraid that large wound would start bleeding again
- I should take down the one with bow first... I... think?
- So you can outpace the arrows now?
Octavia looked into his eyes in utter confusion. The heat of combat was leaving her and the wound was taking it toll. She just wanted to lie down
- N-no.
- Then why were you wounded?
- I... I don't know.
- You were wounded, so we were not. Remember that, remember what you owe us, Octavia.
- I understand large female whispered, looking away. She was an orphan, found in the wilderness by that weird bunch. But... but that wasn't fair, right? She didn't know, she was confused. Her body was aching and she wanted to... weep, scream, shout, roar... she didn't know that either. Guardian finally made her mind on it, but by this time male had already left to the lair. Grazed by her armour, she limped back to her pallet, still having a debt. An indisputable one.
Or so she was told.

***

- Hey, Tightscales...
- Could you not call me that, please? Octavia tried to look more relaxed while still sitting at full attention at her post. Molnum smirked
- Sorry, it's just how I used to call a Guardian I knew.
- Hmm? That's new. Someone managed to bear with you?
- No, actually Ridgeback muttered his clan sent me away. Our hatchlings stayed with him.
- Oh... I'm... I'm sorry, didn't want to...
- Relax, Tightscales. It feels like it was in previous life. I'm not afraid of being alone.
They sat in silence for some time, Octavia on her fallen column by entrance to the lair which got much bigger since Molnum joined. Tundra could be good burrowers, but since Ridgeback was here the small hill they occupied got pierced by solid, spacious tunnels.
- And yet you stayed with them... with us?
- I said I'm not afraid, not that I like it.
- Didn't you have a question? Or you just felt like insulting me randomly?
- Oh, yeah. Why do you take all that fuzzball throws on your head? Sing, isn't it?
Guardian stiffened on mention of tundra's name. She instinctively puffed out her chest and started scanning the surroundings.
- It's... he wants me to perform my duty well.
- Oh, come on...
- If I wasn't at full attention you'd kill me in a moment back then.
- Tightscales...
- It's my duty to the lair. To the... to the Mother female's voice sounded like on verge of breaking.
- Do you think that's what she wants?
- Go away! she roared and jumped at Ridgeback You hear me? Go away!
Molnum tried to react but sudden aggression took her by surprise. She escaped, deciding to leave Octavia to her thoughts. Hopefully, the seed of doubt was sown.

***

Large female tried to curl inward, embarrassed and feeling out of place in Mother's chambers. No amount of warmth and reassuring could outweigh seasons of being told how unworthy and pathetic she was. Mother and Gaou were definitely doing their best to challenge this view.
- N-no, I told you, M-Mother, it's nothing she somehow whimpered, despite her deep voice resonating in the cave
- It's no nothing small tundra squeaked angrily
- I had worse...
The silence was sudden and overwhelming. Gaou lifted from his pallet and approached Guardian slowly, nuzzling at her maw. Octavia twitched in surprise, but didn't back out. He looked at small female who stopped tending large dragoness' wounds, thinking quickly of a way to defuse her. Ever since Cameoleopardis learnt about their protector's situation she shared immense feeling of guilt with rest of the clan, unable to forgive herself that she was satisfied with no word of protest from their guardian. Gaou wasn't maybe smartest one around, but even he understood that she just sought for target to explode with lawful rage at.
- Many times, I imagine. Will you tell us...
- It's past Octavia interrupted him sharply it doesn't matter anymore she added much more softly, meekly looking at Mother. This itself was enough for Mother to pick up her duty.
- I understand, but... oh well, you know best what's good for you. At least now you do. We will understand if you'd choose to leave us behind, Octavia. We owe you this much at least.
- No, please, don't. This is my clan. This is my duty.
Cameoleopardis gave cut on her thigh a last lick and applied herbs, waving at Gaou to wrap the wound. Then she approached the larger female, almost clinging to her maw, making her squint to look tundra in the eyes.
- No more duties. You will stay as my family. As my daughter.
Octavia looked at Gaou in surprise, looking for confirmation, but he just shrugged.
- Don't even think about it, I'm no Dad, I'm Gaou.